Method for simultaneously cleaning a plurality of tubes having open ends

ABSTRACT

A method for cleaning the inside of tubes which achieves a high production level and avoids manual operation. The method includes the steps of: intermittent and automatic advancing of a group of tubes from a storage station to a work station; clamping the tubes firmly at the work station; making a fluid-tight connnection with an open end of individual tubes within the group; introducing fluid under pressure into all tubes of the group simultaneously to flush the interior of the tubes; breaking the fluid-tight connection; advancing the group of tubes to a collection station; and repeating the above steps intermittently and automatically.

[ Nov. 26, 1974 METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY CLEANING A PLURALITY OF TUBES HAVING OPEN ENDS [75] Inventors: Don T. Van Allman, Alton; Robert C. Voss, East Alton, both of I11.

[73] Assignee: Olin Corporation, New Haven,

Conn.

221 Filed: Junel9, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 371,405

, Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 167,637, July 30, 1971, Pat. No.

[52] U.S. Cl. 134/8, 134/22 C, 134/25 R [51] Int. Cl B081) 9/04 [58] Field of Search 15/88, 304, 306 A, 316 R, 15/405, 406, 306 B, 104.06 R; 134/152, 166 C, 167 C, 22 C, 23, 24, 25 R, 8, 37; 214/1 P 2,963,389 12/1960 Winkler 15/306 B X 3,563,256 2/1971 Babunovic 3,602,934 9/1971 Reed l5/l04.06 R

Priinary Examiner-S. Leon Bashore Assistant Examiner-Richard V. Fisher Attorney, Agent, or FirmDavid A. Jackson; Robert H. Bachman 57 ABSTRACT A method for cleaning the inside of tubes which achieves a high production level and avoids manual operation. The method includes the steps of: intermittent and automatic advancing of a group of tubes from a storage-station to a work station; clamping the tubes firmly at the work station; making a fluid-tight connnection with an open end of individual tubes within the group; introducing fluid under pressure into all tubes of the group simultaneously to flush the interior of the tubes; breaking the fluid-tight connection; advan'cing the group of tubes to a collection station; and repeating the above steps intermittently and automatically.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Pmmm vz 3.850.692

' SHEET I; (If 4 FIG- 4 METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY CLEANING A PLURALITY OF TUBES HAVING OPEN ENDS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Normally, in.a commercial operation, the inside of tubes must be cleaned prior to shipment to a customer or use. This is particularly true with respect to metal tubes made by welding an elongated strip. The inside of the tube may have mill lubricant, oil, water or internal scarf which must be removed in order to provide an acceptable product. In fact, the removal of internal scarf stringers quite often requires hand removal andlor manual removal using air or fluids or a combination of both.

A manual operation for cleaning the inside of the tube with air or water is slow and cumbersome in a commercial operation. Similiarly, immersing the tubes in water is inconvenient, slow and not necessarily effective.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for cleaning thev inside of tubes.

It isv an additional object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which can effectively clean the inside of tubes and achieve a high production level simply and economically.

It is an additional object of the present invention to easily operated.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the ensuing specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, it has now been found that the foregoing objects and advantages may be readily achieved, as well as others. The apparatus of the present invention utilizes a conveyor. for transporting tubes in separate. spaced relationship,

. means operatively connected to a source of fluid, preferably air pressure, and having a mouth portion for engagement with said tubes, and, positioning means for placing said tubes from said conveyer into fixed, contacting relationship with said mouth portion. 1

The apparatus. of the present invention can effectively clean a plurality of tubes sim'ultaneously in a fully automatic manner. Furthermore, the apparatus of the present invention achieves a high production level, is simple and convenient to operate and is quite versatile so that it can be readily used undera variety of condi-- provide an apparatus as aforesaid which is versatile and BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 represents a top view of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, and I FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the storage means and that portion of the conveyer adjacent thereto for transferring the tubes to be cleaned to the cleaning apparatus, and

FIG. 3 is'a side elevation of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, and pg,4

FIG. 4 is a view along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Storage means 10 is provided for retaining a plurality of tubes 11 to be cleaned. The storage means 10 is operatively connected to a conveyer means 12 for transporting said tubes to the cleaning; apparatus 13. The conveyer means 12 may be of any desired design for transferring the tubes from the storage means 10 to the cleaning apparatus 13 so that the tubes 11 may be individually positioned at the cleaning apparatus 13 in separate, spaced relationship. In the preferred embodiment as shown clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conveyer means is an endless belt with one end thereof adjacent the storage means 10, the other end thereof adjacent a finished product collection means, not shown, and intermediate thereto passing adjacent the cleaning apparatus 13. The belt or conveyer means 12 has a plurality of compartments 14 with each compartment being adapted to hold a single tube. The compartments 14 are separated by flanges 15 which serve as spacers between compartments and as an indexing means for withdrawing one tube at a time from the' storage means and indexing the appropriate number of tubes to the cleaning apparatus. Any desired means may be chosen for withdrawingonly one tube at a time from storage means 10. For example. as shown inFlG. 2, tube stops 16 may be provided at appropriate intervals along the length of the tube. FlangeslS pick up only one tube at a time by properly adjusting the tube stops 16 with regard to the flange 15 and the diameter of tubes 11. In addition, a tube hold down 17 may be provided to prevent tubes 11 from jumping over one another and to force proper alignment of tubes 11 within storage means 10.

The conveyer 12 may be actuated in any desired manner, such as a motor operatively connected to the conveyer. The conveyer 12 should be adapted to withdraw the desired number of tubes 11 from the storage means 10, for example, four, five or six, by simply setting counting dials on a main control panel. The conveyer 12 would then move the appropriate distance to withdraw the appropriate number of tubes and simultaneously move the same number of tubes to the cleaning apparatus. The number of tubes which are indexed per cycleis based on the capacity of the cleaning apparatus and theparticular production or quality requirements.

It is an advantage of the present invention that many tubes may be effectively and simplycleaned per cycle, providing high production. Naturally, the conveyer 12 should be equipped with adjustable time delays between indexing to permit the cleaning apparatus 13 to effectively complete its cycle and clean each tube. It is an additional advantage of the present invention that the entire operating cycle is relatively short, on the order of 2 to 20 seconds, further permitting a high production level.

The cleaning apparatus 13 is supported by base and upstanding frames 21 connected thereto by bolts or weldments. The yoke frame 22 is firmly connected to the upstanding frames 21 by means of bolts or weldments and extends horizontally between the upstanding frames in a plane substantially parallel to base 20. Yoke frame plate 23 is welded to yoke frame 22. Lifting yoke 24 is moveably mounted on the yoke frame 22, moveable in the up and down direction by means of yoke guide posts 25 integrally connected to the lifting yoke 24 at one end thereof and the other end thereof passing through the yoke frame 22, yoke frame plate 23 and yoke guide bushings 26. The yoke guide bushings 26 are bolted to the yoke frame plate 23 by means of bolts 27 and insure true travel on the yoke guide posts 25. The hold down clamp 28 is connected to the lifing yoke 24 by means of connecting pin 29 and extends downwardly therefrom. The hold down clamp 28 is a platelike member havng a plurality of downwardly facing cut out portions 30 for firmly holding the tubes 11 to be cleaned. The number of cut out portions 30 represents the maximum number of tubes which can be cleaned per cycle and is dependent upon the desired capacity of the particular apparatus. Six cut out portions 30 are shown in the illustrated embodiment. A larger or smaller number may be utilized if desired, limited only by desired production considerations and practical size factors. In view of the fact that larger units require larger air cylinder and air supply capacity, it is believed that a capacity of from 10 to 12 tubes per cycle represents a practical upper limit. Furthermore, in view of the speed of the cycles, a larger capacity is not believed necessary. The cut out portions 30 are preferably V-shaped as shown in order to insure that the hold down clamp 28 contacts any tube not within the desired centers and transfers them to a positive position for mating with the air nozzle for cleaning in a manner to be described below. For example, the tubes may be required to be on 4,5 or 6 inch centers. The cut out portions 30 or notched portions may also be curved, if desired.

The hold down clamp 28 having sufficient clearance nests over the hold down runner 31, as clearly shown in FIG. 3, firmly holding a plurality of tubes therebetween, with one tube being held by each cut out portion 30. Preferably, but not necessarily, at least one of the hold down clamp 28 or the hold down runner 31 should be resilient in the area of contact with the tube 11, such as having a rubber padding, so as to minimize the danger of marking or otherwise damaging the outside of the tubes as well as assure that all tubes are equally clamped securely.

Hold down air cylinder 32 is connected to yoke frame by means of yoke frame plate 23 and bolts 33. The hold down air cylinder is fed by means of hold down air supply line 34 and supplies air pressure to actuate lifting yoke 24 by means of piston 35.

At the completion ofthe indexing cycle, an electrical signal is sent through a time delay mechanism. which activates a hold down air valve (not shown). The air valve discharges a controlled amount of air into the hold down air cylinder 32 via the hold down supply line 34, which in turn actuates the lifting yoke 24 by means of air pressure actuating piston 35 downwardly, lowering the entire mechanism and clamping tubes 11. The lifting yoke 24 lowers the hold down clamp 28 over the indexed tubes below, with each cut out portion 30 firmly grasping a tube 11 as described. The hold down clamp air valve preferably sends an electrical signal when initially activated at the completion of the indexing cycle, through a second time delay mechanism in the main control panel. The resulting time lag guarantees that the hold down clamp 28 is properly in place. An additional safety feature which may be provided is the use of safety latch 36 and pin 37 connected to the yoke frame 22 to lock the hold down clamp 28 in the up position during changes from one product to another. The safety latch permits nozzle or other adjustments without turning off the air and holds the yoke assembly up, avoiding accidental catching of hands or arms should a switch fail or false signal release air into the cyllinder, forcing the assembly downward.

A four post die set or accurate table having a top portion 40 and a bottom portion 41 is mounted on base 20 and has four die set posts 42. Nozzle positioning air cylinder 43 is mounted on the top portion 41 of die set 40 by means of bracket 44. The air cylinder piston 45 is attached to the manifold 46 on the forward end and the nozzle positioning air cylinder 43 on the rearward end. The manifold 46 is moveably mounted on the top portion 41 of the die set 40 and carries a plurality of blower means such as air nozzles 47 on the forward portion thereof corresponding to the capacity of the cleaning apparatus. Each air nozzle 47 has a mouth portion for engagement with said tubes 11. The mouth portion may comprise simply a metal plate 48 attached to each air nozzle 47. Optionally, a resilient seal 49, such as a rubber seal, may be attached to each metal plate 48 to insure that there will be no air leakage when the tubes are in cleaning position. A cup-like member or cone-like member may be employed if desired. As indicated hereinabove, the capacity of the apparatus will determine the number of air nozzles. Each air nozzle 47 is positioned adjacent, on center of the V of the cut out portion 30 of the hold down clamp 28.

The nozzle position air cylinder 43 is fed by air supply lines 50. In operation, at the completion of the hold down cycle, with appropriate time delay as indicated above, an electric signal activates an air valve (not shown) to discharge a controlled amount of air into the nozzle positioning air cylinder 43 via the air supply lines 50. This activates piston 45 which.comes forward moving the manifold 46 forward on manifold guides 51 and manifold guide bushings 52 and manifold guide sleeves 53 connected to the top portion 41 of die set 40 via bolts 54. The manifold guides 51, manifold guide bushings 52 and manifold guide sleeves 53 permit the manifold 46 to slide back and forth freely as required. The forward movement of the manifold 46 moves each air nozzle 47 and air nozzle plate 48 forward into positive contacting engagement with the tubes 11 to be cleaned. It is preferred that the nozzles 47 striking the end of the tubes 11 continue a slight forward movement to insure sealing of the tube ends and prevent air leakage.

Microswitch 55 connected to the manifold 46 senses the end of this cycle when the manifold 46 is in the forward most position and sends an electrical signal via electric sensing line 56 to control box 57 mounted on the top portion 41 of the die set 40 to start the next cycle, which is the cleaning cycle. Naturally, this may be done by the time delays, if desired, as in the previous cycles. Appropriate time delays may be provided to insure that the nozzles 47 are completely forward and in the cleaning or blowout position.

When the nozzles 47 are properly positioned in firm contacting relationship with the tubes 11, an appropriate electrical signal at the end of the time delay activates an air valve (not shown) to discharge air via the manifold air supply 60 into the manifold 46, for example, from the main line. The mass of air is allowed to escape through the individual nozzles 47 and into the tubes 11 adjacent thereto. The volume and pressure of the air is controlled to suit the particular product and to be sufficient to remove residues from the tubes and insure proper cleanliness within the tubes. For example, an air pressure of 100 lbs. in each tube is quite satisfactory, depending, of course, on tube size being cleaned.

Naturally, any fluid may be used depending upon particular requirements. Air has been found to be effective and particularly convenient since it avoids the necessity for fluid collection means. Also, if desired, means may be provided to blow a plug of cloth or foam plastic or rubber or the like through each tube.

At the completion of the cleaning cycle, an electical signal is given to retract the manifold 46, for example,

' by means of an appropriate timer. The manifold 46 actuates the microswitch 55 at its rearward most movement. Simultaneously, the hold down clamp 28 may be set to retract and strike a microswitch at its rearward most movement. The microswitches are safety features in order to prevent the conveyer 12 from indexng before all moving equipment is clear.

The nozzles 47 on the manifold 46 can be readily adjusted to the centerline of each product through the use of locator 61 mounted on bottom portion 42 of die set 40 by bolts 62 and screw head 63 mounted on top portion 41 of die set 40 by bolts 64. By turning the adjusting crank 65, which is operatively connected to the locator 61, in either direction, the entire assembly may be raised or lowered, thereby locating the nozzles 47 appropriately.

The next cycle is then commenced, feeding the cleaned tube into a product collection means (not shown) via the indexing conveyer 12.

This invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered as in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of cleaning the interior of tubes having open ends which comprise: providing a quantity of tubes in a storage station; placing several of said tubes on a conveyor; advancing said conveyor to a fixed work station;

clamping the tubes firmly at said work station extending a plurality of mouth portions of a cleaning apparatus located at said work station to communicate with an open end of said tubes;

securing a fluid-tight connection between said mouth portions and said open ends;

simultaneously introducing a fluid under pressure into all of said tubes and flushing the interior of said tubes;

moving said mouth portions away from said open ends to break the fluid-tight connection; advancing said tubes from said work station to a collection station; and

repeating the above steps intermittently and automatically.

2. A method according to claim ll wherein saiad fluid is air under pressure of 10 to pounds in each tube.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein a plug of material is blown through each tube at said work station.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein six tubes are cleaned per cycle.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein less than 12 tubes are cleaned per cycle.

6. A method according to claim 1 including a time delay after clamping but before making said fluid-tight connection.

7. A method according to claim 1 including a time delay after making said fluid-tight. connection but before introducing said fluid under pressure.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said tubes are maintained in separate spaced relationship on said con- 

1. A METHOD OF CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF TUBES HAVING OPEN ENDS WHICH COMPRISE: PROVIDING A QUANTITY OF TUBES IN A STORAGE STATION; PLACING SEVERAL OF SAID TUBES ON A CONVEYOR; ADVANCING SAID CONVEYOR TO A FIXED WORK STATION; CLAMPING THE TUBES FIRMLY AT SAID WORK STATION EXTENDING A PLURALITY OF MOUTH PORTIONS OF A CLEANING APPARATUS LOCATED AT SAID WORK STATION TO COMMUNICATE WITH AN OPEN END OF SAID TUBES; SECURING A FLUID-TIGHT CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID MOUTH PORTIONS AND SAID OPEN ENDS; SIMULTANEOUSLY INTRODUCING A FLUID UNDER PRESSURE INTO ALL OF SAID TUVES AND FLUSHING THE INTERIOR OF SAID TUBES; MOVING SAID MOUTH PORTIONS AWAY FROM SAID OPEN ENDS TO BREAK THE FLUID-TIGHT CONNECTION; ADVANCING SAID TUBES FROM SAID WORK STATION TO A COLLECTION STATION; AND REPEATING THE ABPVE STEPS INTERMITTENTLY AND AUTOMATICALLY.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said fluid is air under pressure of 10 to 100 pounds in each tube.
 3. A method according to claim 2 wherein a plug of material is blown through each tube at said work station.
 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein six tubes are cleaned per cycle.
 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein less than 12 tubes are cleaned per cycle.
 6. A method according to claim 1 including a time delay after clamping but before making said fluid-tight connection.
 7. A method according to claim 1 including a time delay after making said fluid-tight connection but before introducing said fluid under pressure.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said tubes are maintained in separate spaced relationship on said conveyor. 